Thought For Today

(Jesus continued)  “Then he (steward) said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’  He said, ‘A hundred measure of wheat.’  He said, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’”  Luke 16:7

Lord we continue to see the deception of this steward.  He knew he had to go out and be among these people so he was trying his best to find favor in their eyes.

Thank You Lord for seeing our hearts and knowing our motives.

Thank You for calling us back to Yourself when we stray.

Thank You for the tenderness in our hearts toward You that tells us when we are wrong.

We are loved.   We are forgiven.

Thank You Lord.

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(Jesus continued)  “He (master’s debtor) said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’  And he (steward) said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’”   Luke 16:6

Lord what is it that is within us to want to get even with someone.  It is obvious that since this steward had done the wrong things and been caught he was now going to do even more dishonest things to get even with his master.

Lord this verse points the spotlight on just how wicked our hearts are when we are not in tune with You.

Thank You Lord for seeing and knowing all about us.

Thank You for calling us to be different than our own natural desires.

Thank You for showing us over and over that without our eyes upon You we would be no different and often are no different than this steward.

Thank You for loving us and waiting for us to return from the errors of wanting our own way.

Thank You for Your grace that loves us in spite of who we are and what we do.

Thank You Lord.

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(Jesus continued) “’I (steward) have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.’  So summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’’’  Luke 16:4, 5

Lord this reminds me of the saying that two wrongs never make a right.  This man was wrong in his actions and was losing the job as a steward and now he is going one step further to show us what he was really like.

Thank You Lord that we don’t have to follow his footsteps.

Thank You for opening our eyes of understand and giving us a conscience.

Thank You that You always point us in the right direction and show us a better way to live.

Thank You for Your forgiveness.

Thank You for the peace You give that passes our own human understanding.

We are blessed.   We are forgiven.

Thank You Lord.

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(Jesus continued)  “And the steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me?  I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.’”  Luke 16:3

Lord this man was in trouble because of his own decisions.  He had not been a faithful steward and now he had been caught.  He was plotting what he could do to go out into the world and survive.

Thank You Lord that no matter what our circumstances are in life You are there for us.

Thank You for Your forgiveness.

Thank You for helping us live through life in spite of all our errors and shortcomings.

Thank You for Your mercy and grace.

Thank You for helping us as we repent and turn back to You and Lord that road back isn’t always easy as we can see in this man’s story as it unfolds.

Thank You for being there with Your unconditional love.

Thank You Lord.

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(Jesus continued)  “And he (rich man) called him (steward) and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you?  Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’”  Luke 16:2

Thank You Lord for shinning Your spotlight on every angle of life.

Thank You for this account that will show us how imperfect this man was.

Thank You for also showing us Lord how easy it is for us to throw stones at others instead of addressing the things in our own lives that need changing.

Thank You for Your forgiveness.

Thank You for Your unconditional love.

Thank You Lord.

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He (Jesus) also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.”  Luke 16:1

Lord You had just finished talking about the prodigal son and now You are going right into this story about a rich man.

Thank You for Your love for the disciples that were following You.

Thank You for showing us how human they truly were in spite of the fact that they walked with You and could sit at Your feet and listen.

Thank You for Luke’s account that puts us at Your feet listening also.

Thank You for opening our eyes of understanding and showing us Your pathway.

Thank You Lord.

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(Jesus continued)  “But he (the older son) was angry and refused to go in.  His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you kill for him the fatted calf!’”  Luke 15:28– 30

Lord what an interesting story this is.  How easy it is to see the older son’s side of the story.   I sure have to agree with him and can understand how he felt.   I can’t help but wonder if the father even realized how hurtful this would be to this older son.  Often things are done like this without even considering anyone else because we are just so happy.

Lord You tell us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first.  That verse is as hard for me to understand as this story is.  And Lord isn’t that because it isn’t about anyone but me.  I am being selfish in my thoughts when I think like the older son.

Thank You Lord for Luke’s account of this story because it helps us all look inside to see just where we are coming from.

Thank You for the wisdom and understanding You give us to see ourselves as we truly are.

Thank You that even though You see our thoughts and know our hearts You still love us.

Your unconditional love for us is amazing Lord and I thank You for it.

Thank You Lord.

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(Jesus continued)  “Now the elder son was in the field; and he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant.  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’”  Luke 15:25, – 27

Lord, this story reminds me of the verses that tell us how heaven rejoices when one soul enters the fold.

Certainly this father wanted to rejoice over his son returning and it is obvious that he rejoiced in a very big way.

Thank You for always watching over us and calling us back when we are like this younger son and want to do what we think will make us happy.

Thank You for calling us back and reminding us of those errors throughout our life time.

Thank You that they help us think before we insist on our own way again.

Thank You for Your unconditional love and compassion.

We are forgiven.  We are loved.

Thank You Lord.

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(Jesus continued) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; (younger son) and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’  And they began to make merry.”              Luke 15:22 – 24

Lord this is the best part of the story.  This father truly loved and forgave his son.

Thank You Lord that even when we mess up You are waiting and watching for us and our return to You.

Thank You that You also greet us with open arms of love.

This father loved his son unconditionally and You too love us unconditionally.

Oh how we need that Lord and oh how I thank You for such love.

I stand amazed.

Thank You Lord.

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(Jesus continued)  “And the son (younger son) said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'”  Luke 15:21

Lord thank You for our conscience that tells us when we are in the wrong.

Thank You that this son recognized the errors of his way and was willing to admit it to his father.

Thank You for Your forgiveness when we do things that are not pleasing to You.

Thank You for always being there to listen and forgive.

Your unconditional love amazes me Lord and I thank You for it.

Thank You Lord.

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